News
Burgess Jenkins On Taking Over The Role Of Y&R's Billy Abbott: "It Was Apparent To Me From The Get-Go That This Was A Wonderful Character With Interesting Layers!"
Courtesy/UPTV
Burgess Jenkins has spoken! The next actor hired as the heir apparent to the role of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless chatted with Soap Opera Digest for an upcoming interview to appear in their upcoming June 16th issue.
But today, Soap Opera Digest posted an excerpt from the feature where Jenkins reveals what his initial thoughts were on taking over the pivotal role from two past Daytime Emmy winners, David Tom and Billy Miller.
Burgess stated, “I talked with the producers about it and they filled me in on the role and it was apparent to me from the get-go that this was a wonderful character with interesting layers. I met some of the cast and we clicked right away. Not only are they terrific people, but I can tell we’re going to have a great time. I was taken with this opportunity right away.”
So, how do you think Burgess will fit-in on-screen with the other cast members and characters on the canvas? Share your thoughts below!
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!
Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.
The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”
Photo; Kensington Books
CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE
The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds, “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill Abbott. Two Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”
“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”
“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”
WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?
Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.
This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.
So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
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It sounds to me that Burgess Jenkins is eager and that could be a good thing.Plus i’m sure some of his cast mates have helped him get settle in the role.So i wish him well.
He looks a lot like his big brother Peter Bergman!
Chelsea will end up with Billy or Stitch or both. She is always getting pregnant and it’s time for her to breed
chelsea could end up with adam. there are rumors the that might come back in the summer and that i think it why they had to recast billy in order to bring adam back in the picture now we know he is in fact alive.
Hope Chelsea is gone soon. Sharon had much better chemistry with Adam
Hey Mr. Burgess did you meet the cardboard cut out of Billy Miller also? Yes it is just hearts and flowers over there on the set of Y&R please cue the violins! Did he even read for the part?
That is so funny and true. I feel for David Tom and wish him all the best . He was doing an awesome job.
I am thrilled that he has accepted the role. I am one of his biggest fans and totally fell in love with him when he was on Army Wives. If we couldn’t have Billy Miller in the role I feel that this was a wonderful choice and I do not think anybody will be disappointed. Like Billy Miller, he is an outstanding actor. I just hope they will do him justice and write his role in a way that will be in sync with his talent. These writers don’t always do their best actors justice IMO.
Billy Miller is thee only Billy Abbott ..
It makes no difference how good or handsome one is, he will never be thee Billy Abbott
Y&R has become empty, flat, without MS, MM and BM ..
No replacing owned characters..
Adam is trademarked by MM ..
Phyllis is trademarked by MS
Billy is trademarked by BM
I wish Burgess well ..
They’ve been snatched!!!
But you don’t watch Y&R, you’ve told us that over and over again. The only show you like is GH. So why do you care, again??
I never seen his acting
Here it goes: Billy Miller is the one and only Billy even if he didnt originate the roll…i liked David Tom and they shouldnt let him go…i hate David Tom and im glad they let him go…this Burgess Jenkins is no Billy…this Burgess isnt no Billy Miller but he is better than David Tom…i like Burgess and he is a good Billy…ill give him a chance first…i could care less who plays the part…BRING BILLY MILLER BACK…BRING DAVID TOM BACK…this is all JFP fault and they should replace her instead…Good, i think i covered it all so now i dont have to read others comments…lol
So true!
Thanks you just saved me a lot of time, like your Reader’s Digest version of the great Billy Debate of 2014. But all kidding aside, your post is precisely the reason why powers that be rarely listen or care about “fan” reaction if they tried to pleased everyone all the time it would be a mess– as for Billy, if doesn’t matter if Brad Pitt played him, if the writing is bad the character will suffer– I think Mr. Tom talent wasn’t the problem, but the writing, I doubt even Mr. Miller could make the dribble coming out Billy’s mouth these days worth listening to.
Billy Miller got the meaty material of a grief stricken father who is hell bent on revenge for the tragic death of his beloved daughter Delia…a bravo emmy winning performance…David Tom wasnt so lucky…he barely got any of those emotional scenes that tug at the heart and allows you to feel his grief and pain…instead he is just a bitter man in a troubled marriage…he does a good job with the material given but not enough to win most fans approval…i like David Tom and i wish GH would hire him as Tracys son Dillion Quartimaine…thanks for your reply…i may not reply to everything you write but i still read everything you comment on…you always write very intelligent well written comments and you remain one of my top favorite posters!!!
I’m happy for Burgess, I just hope he clicks as Billy more than David Tom did. Nothing against DT as an actor, but he just didn’t work as Billy for me. Yes, he was the original adult Billy, and back when he first played the role, he was really good because his acting style worked with the character. Now it just seemed like DT took the Billy that Billy Miller molded and regressed him in age. Plus, the recast happened so quickly, and DT was immediately thrown into front-burner story, it was a lot to take in. Fans (including myself) were still reeling from BM’s exit, and all of the sudden a new actor pops up in a major role with major story, it was too much. That’s why I think DT didn’t work for me, and for most other viewers. Hopefully Burgess Jenkins does well, and hopefully the writers know where they’re taking the role!
I agree Jimmy…I don’t think ANYONE replacing Billy Miller would have been accepted…especially when it was done.
And maybe that was the thinking all along. Put David Tom, let him take the heat, then bring in someone we really want when people will be more willing to accept a replacement for DT.
I liked Burgess on Army Wives so I hope he’s given a chance on Y&R .
If that is true, and that’s what they did with DT, I think it’s the cruelest thing a show can do to an actor, especially one who was previously on said show in said role.
However, a more likely scenario is that the show thought that bringing the original adult portrayer back to the role would gain fan support more than a newbie would. I think the show hoped fans would embrace DT because he was on the show before, and back then he was loved.
But that didn’t happen, and I feel bad for DT being treated the way he was by the show. I wish him luck and I hope Burgess Jenkins dazzles us as Billy.
Nice looking man. Looking forward to watching him on Y&R. Now if he can act!!!!
So this huge story (Delia’s death, and now Victoria’s pregnancy) with two newbies (New Billy & Stitch) no emotional connection at all anymore. No thanks YR!
I want Billy Miller back.
He looks like a grown-up David Tom. I hope they don’t make him whiny like DT
He’s right. Billy Abbott IS a wonderful character with many layers. It’s just too bad that the current regime has no ability or even interest in WRITING him or any other character that way.
I’m sure Burgess can act,, He may be a very good actor..
However; that is not what it is about..
It is– can he be be Billy Abbott..
There was a high charisma, humor, facial expression, mannerisms, flamboyance, charm, that all belong to the Billy Miller/Billy Abbott character..
Billy Miller trademark Billy Abbott., for sure…
Burgess is handsome and he can act but can he portray Billy Abbott …
I gotta see this lol ..
My best to Burgess ..
I wish him all the best and hope he’s treated better than David Tom was.
But just when I stopped missing Billy Miller and just when I got used to David Tom who was really getting his sea legs, they fire him. Watching Miller’s poignant and powerful performance today, I will paraphrase that Pretty Woman, “Big Mistake! Huge!”
I thought david tom was doing a great job. But i understand not much job security on soaps.
People need to get over that it’s not Billy Miller playing him anymore. He CHOSE to leave the show. Let’s try to give this new guy a chance. I liked Miller too but this guy may be good.
Jake, I don’t disagree. However, you’re leaving out David Tom who was hired to to take Miller’s place to come back and play Billy Abbott again. I agree we need to let Billy Miller go, but firing David Tom one month after he started goes beyond the pale.
And David Tom was doing an outstanding job.
Let’s hope the fans, certain co workers and the stuffed shirts from Y&R treat this new guy better than they treated Tom.
Miller chose to leave AFTER he was denied the basic “outs” he asked for in his contract to do other things.
Apparantly, Jill Farren Phelps gave away all the perks to the other cardboard cut out on the Y&R set.
Rob, I couldn’t have said it better myself….
We all have to move on. Its like a death over at Y&R and JFP is the undertaker! Whether these actors left because of Jill or they wanted to pursue other roles, lets give Burgess a chance. We gave David a chance and it didnt work out. I hate change but they have a show to write. Hindsight, they should have written Billy off for the “Murder” of Adam and gave Billy Miller a chance to do other things and then see if he wanted to return BEFORE they recasted the role. [Why are the fans so much smarter than the people calling the shots at Y&R?]
Reading some of these comments makes me think of my grandma when she said be careful what you asked for. So many people thought that by complaining about David Tom, that would make Billy Miller return???? I don’t see the logic in that. David Tom was just doing what was written. And I say that by the fact that soaps are written far in advance. Even all this whiny crap that’s been on-screen still would have been BM if he had stayed and I STILL would be annoyed with the Billy character. People are also saying that they made Billy whiny. No more so than when he did his last whiny song and dance from the gambling storyline, or sleeping with Chelsea. Hell, even I hated the Billy character during his slumming it during the Trailer Park years. During so many moments they have made Billy the character whiny and never taking responsibility for his actions. Thats always been my problem with the character at so many moments. And for that I blame the writing. What will you guys do when Billy is now being portrayed by a new person with the same writing direction??? Do we blame the actor again. And say its the fault of the actor for not being Billy Miller. Its time to let it go. The guy left the building. I’m anticipating the He’s awesome, ugh I don’t like his portrayal, he doesnt gel with the cast, he’s not Billy Abbott, we want David Tom back, bring back Billy Miller. And the Cycle continues….Sigh Regardless of who plays Billy, the crappy writing will still be the same.
Also, Billy Miller has been gaining lots of traction in his primetime career. He was going to leave eventually. And before anyone says how do I know that. I’m speaking from the business side. Unfortunately, so many damn casting peeps & silly suit exes still thumb their noses down at Daytime Actors. Also everytime Billy Miller left to go do these short time gigs in Primetime, Billy would be offscreen for 2-4 weeks at a time. Which to me always slowed down the pacing of a few storylines. They kept having to come up with a reason to send him away for meetings or restaurant business. I think the guy is CRAZY TALENTED, and felt he should have left awhile ago to really give his primetime career a chance. So many people are going to say, he could do both. But how long could he do that everytime he booked something. I’ve been on auditions for things sometimes shooting the following week. Soap production schedules are down way in advanced. Its not that easy to roll up to the production offices and get out of shooting. He did the right thing leaving. Be happy, and lets look towards the future. We can’t move forward if we constantly are looking in the rear view mirror.
To be honest, I feel bad for any actor taking over the Billy or Adam roles. They are going to get a bum rap from their very first day. And whomever takes over Adam Newman now, I pray for that guy, cause the MM fans are going to eat him alive. Everything he does is going to be slanted with a this is what Michael Muhney would do rant or comparison.
Good comments, Travis. Here’s what I don’t get. If the MM fanatics supposedly quit watching the show 5 months ago…then why do they care who gets the role?
This guy looks like a competent actor. I’m looking forward to see how he plays the part. I found it interesting that the producers approached him out of the blue. They must’ve seen something that they were looking for. Hopefully what they saw also connects with the fans because THREE actors for ONE storyline is a lot. You lose the continuity because each actor will interpret it differently. By the time BJ gets on screen will I even care that “Billy” lost Delia since BM and EH who originated the story aren’t around anymore?
Billy Miller will always be Billy Abbott. The constant recasting is ridiculous.
He wont be good for the role. YR needs to give. BM the contract he wants and bring him back.
When this backfires (and I think it will) I hope the casting director is fired.
Yes, it is sad that Billy Abbott lost Delia, but it was his, and no one else’s, fault. Adam was as much of a victim of Billy Abbott’s negligence as was Delia (and hence Chloe).
Billy Miller went on to bigger things; David Tom will get another role without that role’s baggage (B.M. fans) and good luck to the new guy. I just hope he knows that deep down, Billy Abbott’s number one priority is Billy Abbott.
Billy Miller is irreplaceable.
Bring Billy Miller back.Give him what he wants.
I did like Billy Miller. But, I like Burgess Jenkins. What all the fan girls seem to forget is he (and Michelle Stafford) chose to leave. I hope David Tom gets a Part on the Bold and the Beautiful or Days of Our lives.
The role of Billy Abbott just does not fit any other actor except Billy Miller. He is an amazing actor. His acting shows such depth with no limits. Either bring back Billy Miller or write the character out.
Happy that David Tom is leaving…he couldn’t replace Billy Miller who needs to come back. Is it a money issue? Y&R should consider how valuable a character he was. I will say Tom was ok as the teenager Billy but he’s out of his league as adult Billy.
PLEASE BRING BILLY MILLER BACK Y&R !!!!!
anybody is better than the Billy right now he is just a kid my grandson could do as well and he is only 8
also think about getting rid of Kelly she is a pain in the butt there will never be another person that will play phyliss as well as the one that did no matter how far you looked also get rid of cry baby Sharon you guys were good writers at one time get some good actors or actreses back
I hope they won’t make him a pretty boy. Billy’s character is rough around the collar. It would be wise to remember that and let him have a 5 o’clock shadow to take away from the long, slender face. MILLER is who fan’s relate to as Billy. He is a stocky, bad boy. I am looking forward to seeing if JENKINS can pull it off and not make us laugh when he tries to play angry, tough, scripts.
Well I like his looks 100% better than the last 2…they had whimpy looks and I could not stand to hear their voices.
Sorry, but glad Tom is out; he was a good fit for the younger Billy Abbott role, but not so much as grown up Billy. I loved Miller in this role and it is too bad he is gone. I miss him. I wish Jenkins all the best.